Woman, 28, killed after car smashed into her vehicle at 70mph

A woman was killed after a car crashed into her vehicle at 70mph when she was broken down on the M5, an inquest has heard. 

Amy Austin, 28, died in hospital two days after her car broke down at around 9.15pm on December 12, 2021, leaving her vehicle stationary in the third of four lanes near Junction 31. 

Although the hazard lights of her black Vauxhall Corsa were activated, they seemed dim, and the driver of a white BMW could not see Ms Austin's presence until it was too late, the inquest heard. 

The young woman, a hotel housekeeper, tragically passed away at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on December 14 that year. 

The BMW driver, whose son was asleep in the front seat at the time of the accident, was visibly upset at the inquest and expressed deep regret over Ms Austin's death.  

Tests confirmed that she had not been under the influence of any substances.  

DC John Greathead, leading the investigation, told the court: 'The first thing she said she was aware of was her own vehicle lights reflecting on the stationary car and then a bang.' 

He added: 'She put that down to a lack of concentration on her part.'

The BMW was travelling at around 70mph at the point of impact, it is understood. Dashcam evidence showed no signs of braking prior to the collision.

Ms Austin was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the tragedy - which police suspect was due to her unbuckling it to exit the vehicle or reach her phone.  

The young woman was found not breathing when emergency responders removed her from the vehicle. 

Sustaining a catastrophic brain injury, Ms Austin's cause of death was listed as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. There were no traces of drugs or alcohol in her system. 

She has since been able to save numerous lives through the gift of organ donation, PlymouthLive reported. 

Police checks into Ms Austin's phone history showed that the young woman spent almost five minutes trapped within her car before the crash occurred. 

She had called for roadside assistance, waiting on hold for around two minutes until a call handler picked up.